Joy Lammers Claims Victory on Home Turf in CSI1* Young Horse Final 1.30/1.35m

The final day of the Summer Classic at Longines Tops International Arena began with glorious sunshine. The Young Horses came onto the grass first for their Final. Out of 37 starters, 14 combinations stayed clear in the first round and qualified for the jump-off: seven six-year-olds and seven seven-year-olds. Britain's Matthew Sampson came in first with the six-year-old mare Abril. With a smooth and flowing ride, they set a fast time, 41.88 seconds. Hermano Assis Marin from Brazil also stayed clear but could catch Sampson, setting a time of 43.89 seconds with the six-year-old black mare Saphire v/h Nederveld. The next clear round was delivered by Belgian Koen Vereecke who rode through the course at a brisk pace. Unfortunately, it was just not fast enough. Vereecke crossed the finish line in 42.01 seconds with six-year-old Valentino Boy. It eventually earned them third place. Denmark's Laura Baaring Kjaergaard got off to a fast start on the seven-year-old grey mare Unlimited and dipped below Sampson's time but unfortunately this came at the cost of a fault on the very last obstacle. Ireland's top rider Denis Lynch rode a perfect round but still came up just short of speed. With the seven-year-old black stallion Drive Me Crazy Z, he rushed to the finishing line in 42.48 seconds, taking fourth place. Dutch Joy Lammers took all the risks and went full gallop to the last obstacle. Her daring ride with seven-year-old stallion Heat Wave earned her the win. Even the last starter, world number two Ben Maher, could not change that. "It feels very special to win here with this horse. He was bred and born here in Valkenswaard. He is still partly owned by Jan Tops. Heat Wave gave me a good feeling and is very sharp. I came a bit big to the last one but he did a super job. Out of the 10 rounds he has run in his life so far, at least nine were clear. He is really nice to ride and also has a great canter and a lot of power. He has a lot going for him which really makes this a horse for the future."

1. Joy Lammers - Heat Wave (NED)
2. Matthew Sampson - Abril (GBR)
3. Koen Vereecke - Valentino Boy (BEL)
4. Denis Lynch - Drive me Crazy Z (IRL)
5. Hermano Assis Marin - Saphire v/h Nederveld (BRA)
6. Jeanne Sadran - Congratulation Pezi KB (FRA)
7. Ernesto Canseco - Six Gold (MEX)
8. Felix Hassmann - Cornetino WZ (GER)
9. Laura Baaring Kjaergaard - Unlimeted (NDEN)
10. Ben Maher - Maddox vh Haringvliet Z (GBR)